Kroll Ontrack presents a complimentary on-demand webinar discussing successful e-discovery on a multi-national project

E-discovery is approached differently in almost every country around the world, and international ediscovery best practices are evolving quickly in response to international litigation and investigations, the company says on its website, eDiscovery.com. “Knowing the country’s approach to ediscovery is integral to ensuring that a multi-national ediscovery project goes smoothly.”

Topics include:

• The biggest differences in approaches to ediscovery in the US, EU and APAC
• How the extraterritorial effect of US regulation affects global companies’ ediscovery tactics
• Techniques for managing ediscovery in international cases and on multiple fronts

Watch the on-demand webinar.

Employment Screening Resources offers a complimentary white paper that provides an informative introduction to international background screening, what risks employers conducting such screenings should be aware of, and the many ways background screening overseas differs from background screening in the United States.

Employers in the United States have long recognized that conducting due diligence on new hires with background screening is a mission critical task, ESR says on its website. “However, with the mobility of workers across international borders it is no longer adequate to conduct these background screening checks just in the United States. Background screening also must be done internationally since an increasing number of workers have spent part of their professional careers abroad. The number of countries from which U.S. employers seek information about applicants with International Background Screening is expansive, and includes many countries.”

Read the white paper.

Two former employees of a helicopter company owned by a prominent Wall Street financier allege that she exploited a connection with an Army colonel to charge the U.S. government inflated prices for rotorcraft, according to an Associated Press report.

Whistleblowers filed documents in U.S. District Court in Alabama, alleging Lynn Tilton offered the officer, Norbert Vergez, a lucrative job long before he retired from military service as a way of inducing him to make contract decisions favorable to her company, MD Helicopters of Mesa, Arizona.

Attorneys for Tilton have disputed the allegations, calling them weak and implausible.

Read the story.

Above the Law has posted the fourth installment of Dan Harris’ series on negotiating with Chinese companies. The latest installment focuses on the cultural disconnects that so often impact negotiating between American and Chinese companies.

Topics include the role of the contract, perpetual negotiations, and common ground.

Dan Harris is a founding member of Harris Moure, an international law firm with lawyers in Seattle, Chicago, Beijing, and Qingdao. He is also a co-editor of the China Law Blog.

Read the article.

The Louisiana State University System’s newly hired, $270,000-a-year general counsel does not have a license to practice law in Louisiana, reports the New Orleans Advocate.

New GC Thomas Skinner officially started work in January, leaving a Chicago law firm, where he specialized in regulatory and environmental matters.

The GC’s inability to litigate won’t be a problem for the system, says Daniel T. Layzell, the university’s new vice president for finance and administration. “We hired him to oversee our legal strategy, the legal needs of the university.”

Read the story.

The International Association for Contract & Commercial Management will present a three-week online course designed to help participants better understand what is involved in commercial business relationships, and the process of managing contractual agreements.

Contract Management: Build Relationships in Business, starting April 27, is a free online course, available to all, developed by IACCM in partnership with the University of Southampton, the UK Cabinet Office and Civil Service Learning.

Topics include:

• Relationship fundamentals; the things that can go right or wrong in commercial relationships
• The rules that govern public and private sector procurement
• The complexities of supply chains and networks that are a feature of many contracts
• How to manage interdependencies and the needs of multiple stakeholders
• Judgement and the data needed to inform it

Register for the event.

How many electronic devices used in your organization store electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI)? If you work in a healthcare setting, this is not easily answered. While there has been considerable attention paid to ePHI stored on computers and networked servers, and recent attention given to portable devices like tablets and cell phones, one class of ePHI bearing technology remains rather mysterious – medical devices.

The Compliancy Group will present a webinar that shines a light on medical device data storage and introduces ePHI breach risks in direct patient care, clinical lab, and medical imaging settings. A brief case study for each setting will be presented.

The free webinar will be Tuesday, April 21, 2-3:30 p.m. Eastern time.

The presenter will beRay Davey, Chief Technology Officer for Maxxum, Inc., a technology asset disposition company near Minneapolis, MN. His career includes working for technology product and service companies like Hewlett-Packard, EDS, Cap Gemini, and others. As Maxxum’s CTO, his primary focus is helping clients manage risk associated with data bearing technology assets scheduled to exit their organizations.

Register for the webinar.

Peter M. Kellett, chairman and CEO of Dykema

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced that its Chairman and CEO, Peter Kellett, has been elected a member of the Detroit Economic Club (DEC) board of directors.

The Detroit Economic Club was formed in 1934 as a non-partisan, non-profit organization committed to the discussion and debate of important business, government and social issues. The DEC continues to provide a platform for distinguished international dignitaries and business leaders, who represent the changing global environment. It is known internationally as an important venue for prominent business and government leaders – a forum they can use to explore issues that will help shape the dynamic 21st century economic environment.

Directors are asked to support the DEC in numerous ways, from recommending speakers to periodically performing duties of the President Officer and attending DEC meetings and luncheons when schedules permit.

Kellett has been Chairman and CEO of Dykema since 2012, and previously served in several management positions at the firm, including as Litigation Practice Group Leader (2003-2007) and Litigation Department Director (2008-2011).

“I am honored to be part of the Detroit Economic Club Board of Directors,” Kellett said. “The DEC is an esteemed organization that provides a premier speaking forum for current, and future, business leaders. I look forward to working with the board in continuing the important role the Economic Club plays in our business community.”

The DEC is chaired by William Clay Ford, Jr., Executive Chairman of Ford Motor Co. Other board members include Roger Penske, Chairman of Penske Corporation; Dave Bing, Mayor of Detroit; The Honorable Ruth Johnson, Michigan’s Secretary of State; Mary Barra, Chief Executive Officer of General Motors Company; Keith E. Crain, Chairman of Crain Communications, Inc.; Dr. Lou Anna K. Simon, President of Michigan State University; the Honorable Damon Keith, Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit; Dorothy Deremo, President and CEO of Hospice of Michigan; John Fikany, Vice President of Microsoft; and many other leaders.

About Dykema
Dykema serves business entities worldwide on a wide range of complex legal issues. Dykema lawyers and other professionals in 12 U.S. offices work in close partnership with clients — from startups to Fortune 100 companies — to deliver outstanding results, unparalleled service and exceptional value in every engagement. To learn more, visit http://www.dykema.com and follow Dykema on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/Dykema.

A survey by J Johnson Executive Search Inc. takes a look at some of the highlights of a critical, and still evolving role: the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) in the legal industry.

The report on the survey is available online. Jennifer Johnson Scalz is the author.

“We’ve come a long way from a decade ago when the C-Suite first beckoned,” the report says. “Clearly there’s been a lot of hard work done by long-tenured CMOs who are battle-tested in the industry and from newer CMOs who are shaking things up a bit. With legal experience or not, the legal role is an attractive career option for results-oriented professionals who still want room to shape and evolve the role.”

Read the report.

CARCO Group Inc., a worldwide leader in background screening and investigations, has posted online a white paper that explores the importance of contractor and vendor employee screening.

Published in response to a growing trend by companies to employ contractors and vendors in key roles, along with the need to justify the expense to upper management, the white paper reviews the benefits and best practices of contractor and vendor employee screening. The paper also discusses the risks associated with not screening these workers, CARCO says on its website.

“Most companies today have spent time evaluating and addressing physical security needs, most have also addressed environmental safety concerns, and many companies today practice some form of employee background screening. But many companies fall short on designing and implementing sound vendor and contractor employee screening programs,” notes Fred Giles, CARCO’s Senior Vice President, Research Division.

This white paper addresses some of the traps and dangerous practices that can ensnare the well-intentioned professional, and outlines the elements of a strong vendor employee screening program.

Download the white paper.

The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit recently issued an important decision that highlights a few important takeaways for all government contractors, reports The Federal Government Contracts & Procurement Blog.

The case is K-Con Building Systems, Inc. v. United States, Case No. 2014-5062.

Documents in the case indicate that K-Con Building Systems, Inc. (K-Con) entered into a contract to construct a building for the United States Coast Guard.  After a delay in contract completion, the federal government imposed liquidated damages (or LDs).  K-Con presented three discrete claims against the federal government in the Court of Federal Claims: (1) remission of LDs on the grounds that the LDs clause was unenforceable, (2) remission of LDs on the grounds that K-Con was entitled to a time extension, and (3) additional compensation for constructive changes.

Read the article.

The New York Times is reporting that a long-running investigation into Wall Street’s manipulation of interest rates could soon result in Deutsche Bank paying a record penalty and accepting a criminal guilty plea for the unit at the center of the case.

“Deutsche Bank, Germany’s largest financial institution and one of several banks linked to the gaming of interest rates, is in talks to resolve the case as soon as this month, according to people briefed on the matter,” the report says. “A deal — which involves federal prosecutors as well as New York State’s financial regulator and regulators in London and Washington — would be one of the last cases to arise from the sweeping investigation into the London interbank offered rate, or Libor.”

Read the story.

Panasonic Corporation of North America today announced the appointment of Damien Atkins as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Panasonic Corporation of North America.

Atkins succeeds Robert S. Marin, who is retiring after nearly 40 years of service, including more than 23 years as the company’s chief legal advisor.

Atkins joins Panasonic from AOL Inc., where he served as Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer. He earned his undergraduate degree from Stanford University and graduated from New York University School of Law.

“Damien Atkins is a respected and experienced leader in managing in-house legal teams,” said Panasonic Corporation of North America Chairman & CEO Joseph M. Taylor. “His expertise in leading mergers & acquisitions activities, managing corporate governance, and ensuring legal compliance in a global brand company aligns well with Panasonic’s plan to grow significantly as a provider of diverse technology solutions for business. We are delighted to have Damien join the Panasonic management team here in Newark.”

National Labor Relations Board General Counsel Richard F. Griffin Jr. has issued a lengthy guidance memorandum intended to explain modifications to the representation case processing procedures under the Board’s Final Rule, adopted in December 2014, reports Winston & Strawn.

The GC’s guidance covers how representation cases will be processed from beginning to end, incorporating both the Final Rule changes and the procedures that remain unchanged. The Final Rule will go into effect on April 14, 2015, and will apply to representation cases filed on or after that date, the firm reports on its website.

The guidance indicates that neither the Final Rule nor the memorandum “establishes new timeframes for conducting elections or issuing decisions.”

Read the story.

A white paper published by ICF International examines how different oil price scenarios will have varied implications, strategies, and opportunities for producers, midstream developers, and investors. Key discussion topics include oil and gas prices and strategic implications and opportunities for the oil, natural gas, and NGL sectors.

ICF manager Dr. Ananth Chikkatur wrote the paper.

“Recent declines in oil prices have halted several production and midstream investments and have increased the risks for new projects, ICF says on its website. “However, opportunities always exist for those with an eye to the longer term. Reduced oil prices can help increase efficiency and ‘cut the fat’ across the industry. Savvy companies are focused on identifying new opportunities and making the most out of the assets they own.”

Read the white paper.

An increase in U.S. domestic crude oil and natural gas production coupled with transportation infrastructure limitations have resulted in supply and demand imbalances across the country and increased market price volatilities, reports a white paper posted by Oil & Gas Financial Journal and sponsored by Opportune.

As a result of the imbalances and volatilities, energy companies continue to enter into OTC and exchange traded energy derivative instruments to manage commodity price risk.

“While these energy derivatives can be effective economic hedges, they do present management with challenges springing from the complex rules that dictate how they should be recorded in financial statements,” the report says.

The article discusses the complex accounting rules for these instruments as well as the accounting challenges specific to the energy industry.

Read the white paper.

Cyber threats to oil and gas production — both cyber espionage campaigns and damaging cyber-attacks — are increasing, according to a white paper published by Oil and Gas IQ.

“Securing workforce and supply chain access to your data is a vital component of your defense against these cyber threats,” the paper says. “A robust Vendor Management System (VMS) can help protect your data and provide visibility into who has access to both your physical and intellectual property at all times.”

The white paper covers:

* Why your non-employee workforce data should be independently audited and certified

* Why single-tenant architecture keeps your data more secure

* Why the physical location of your data centre matters

* Why you should know your VMS provider’s disaster contingency plans

Read the white paper.

James P. Feeney, member of Dykema

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced that James P. Feeney has received the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel’s (MDTC) Annual Excellence In Defense Award. He will be honored during an awards banquet hosted by the MDTC on Friday, May 15 at The H Hotel in Midland, Mich.

The Excellence In Defense Award honors civil defense counsel who have promoted the practice of the defense bar and the representation of their clients both in and outside of the courtroom through their professionalism, intelligence, creativity, judgment, personality, sensitivity, civility, advocacy skills, community involvement and efforts to educate younger attorneys. It also recognizes their contributions beyond their normal roles as an advocate.

Feeney, one of the nation’s most prominent trial attorneys, regularly tackles high-profile, high-stakes litigation matters as a “go to” trial attorney for the world’s largest companies. During the course of his nearly 40-year career, Feeney has been involved in more than 1,500 cases, 70 of which he has tried to verdict. His experience includes trials of high-stakes matters for the automotive industry, financial institutions, media companies, real estate developers, and equipment leasing and insurance companies.

The MDTC is an association of the leading lawyers in the State of Michigan dedicated to representing individuals and corporations in civil litigation. Since 1979, the organization exists to facilitate a greater exchange of views and advance the interests of civil defense attorneys.

About Dykema
Dykema serves business entities worldwide on a wide range of complex legal issues. Dykema lawyers and other professionals in 12 U.S. offices work in close partnership with clients — from startups to Fortune 100 companies — to deliver outstanding results, unparalleled service and exceptional value in every engagement. To learn more, visit http://www.dykema.com and follow Dykema on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/Dykema.

Steven V. Hunter, partner, Quarles & Brady

The national law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP has announced that Chicago partner Steven Hunter has been elected to the president’s council of the Museum of Science and Industry.

In 1933, the Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) opened, and to date has over 35,000 artifacts and more than 400,000 square feet of hands-on experiences, making it the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere. On a rotating basis, educational movies, tours, exhibits, and events are offered at the museum.

The President’s Council provides opportunities for members to use their civic and philanthropic leadership while promoting the museum’s vision to ultimately inspire and motivate children to achieve their full potential in the fields of engineering, medicine, science, and technology. Hunter is one of 44 community leaders that serve as ambassadors of the museum. Each individual of the president’s council contributes their talent, time, and resources.

Hunter is a trial lawyer with first-chair experience representing companies in all phases of litigation and alternative dispute resolution, including discovery, “e-discovery,” motions practice, arbitration, mediation, jury trials, bench trials, and appeals. He also represents pro bono clients in criminal, family law, and political asylum proceedings.

He received his law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center and his bachelor’s degree from Brown University.

About Quarles & Brady LLP
Quarles & Brady is a full-service law firm with more than 475 attorneys offering an array of legal services to corporate and individual clients that range from small entrepreneurial businesses to Fortune 100 companies, with practice focuses in health care and life sciences, business law, data privacy and security, and complex litigation. The firm has offices in Chicago; Indianapolis; Madison; Milwaukee; Naples, Florida; Phoenix; Scottsdale; Tampa; Tucson; and Washington, D.C. Additional information can be found online at quarles.com, as well as on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

A free on-demand webinar from the UC Davis Policy Institute for Energy, Environment, and the Economy compares the carbon intensity of natural gas and diesel long haul trucks.

On its website, the Institute says the webinar also explores the contribution of different assumptions, such as methane leakage, engine efficiency and natural gas storage — to the well-to-wheels carbon intensity of natural gas trucks.

Additionally, the webinar examines how to calculate the break-even methane leakage for natural gas trucks and the extent to which renewable natural gas can improve the climate performance of NGV trucks.

Watch the on-demand webinar.